Jammu and Kashmir News

SRINAGAR, JULY 17:-Minister for Rural Development and Panchayati Raj, Mr. Abdul Haq today visited the cloudburst areas of Kangan in Ganderbal district and took stock of the situation.

Due to cloudburst on Thursday, two persons died and four injured besides more than 250 structures badly affected.

Accompanied by Deputy Commissioner, Ganderbal, Showkat Ajaz, DIG Police Central Kashmir, G.H Shah, S.P Ganderbal besides other officers of district administration, the Minister inspected various affected villages of Kulan including Baba Mohalla, Hajam Mohalla, Shah Mohalla, Sheikh Mohalla and received first hand appraisal of the calamity which caused damages to the assets.

The Minister was informed that 2 persons including one girl and a boy of the area died in the incident, while 2 more persons including a woman and her son are missing and rescue and search operation to locate the missing ones is in progress. He was also informed that 4 persons have been injured in the incident. The minister was also apprised that as many as 250 structures have been damaged besides standing maize crop over 150 kanals of land has also damaged.

While interacting with the affected people, the Minister expressed with them solidarity of Government and assured all possible help and support at this juncture. He also visited the bereaved family and offered Fatehe and condolences on the demise of minor girl Iqra and boy.

On the occasion, the Minister handed over ex-gratia relief cheques worth Rs 1.5 lakh to next of the kins of each deceased family, besides ex-gratia of Rs 5000 to each injured persons. The Minister also gave directions for providing free ration for one month to the affected families.

Mr. Haq also inspected the temporary shelter site located for the affected families and directed the administration to make available all basic facilities to them. He also overseen the rescue and restoration operation measures and reviewed the damages inflicted by the disaster yesterday.

Later, the Minister convened a meeting of officers there and issued directions for speedy restoration of essential services and supplies in the affected areas. He directed the PHE officers to make drinking water supply through tankers in the affected areas. He also directed the Beacon authorities to take immediate steps for repairing the damaged portion of the highway in view of importance of the connectivity to Leh as well movement of Shri Amarnath pilgrims.

Meanwhile, the Minister also paid visit to Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra base camp at Manigam and took stock of the arrangements put in place there. He interacted with yatris and enquired about the facilities and arrangement made by the administration.